Business

MTN Calls for Fair Regulations and Level Playing Field in the Telecom Industry

Published

Saturday, 28 December 2024, 10:15 am

MTN Calls for Fair Regulations and Level Playing Field in the Telecom Industry. MTN Nigeria and other multinational business owners have appealed to the Federal Government to create a level playing field to enable businesses to sustain their investments in the country.

This appeal was made as the Chief Financial Officer of MTN, Modupe Kadri, stated that the high inflation rate and foreign exchange fluctuations had made it difficult for the telecommunications industry to operate effectively.

They appealed during a panel session at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit on Tuesday in Abuja, titled “Navigating Business Growth in a Volatile Environment.”

Speaking in his address, the CFO noted that the current situation had caused tariff increases in the petroleum and electricity industries and wondered why the same increases would not be permitted in the telecommunications industry.

He highlighted that telecom companies had not received regulatory approval to adjust their prices for over a decade, despite importing telecommunications equipment priced in foreign currency.

Kadri said, “For ten years now, telecommunication companies haven’t been permitted to increase prices, and this regulation is not providing us with a level playing field to operate. If we are to stay in business, this policy must be reviewed, similar to how electricity and fuel prices are adjusted to reflect current economic realities.

“Our business is mainly dependent on foreign exchange, so customers need to understand that for them to receive the services they desire, it costs money.

“When people have to invest in the country and are unable to monetise their investments, it cannot work.

“The only way this economy will thrive is if there is appropriate pricing such that investments in the sector are guaranteed. The government is talking about diversifying; I’m talking about survival. What is the business case for me to invest when I’m bleeding almost to death?

“The telecommunications industry contributes 16 per cent to the GDP, and it is not something that you can mess around with.”

He stated that for the government to encourage the survival of businesses, there had to be a level playing field.

“If we are not careful, what happened to the oil industry, which led to a loss of investments, will happen to telecommunications, and the industry will come to a halt. It’s not rocket science,” he added.

He further noted that if the telecom industry falters, it will have a ripple effect on sectors such as financial services, logistics, and the broader economy.

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of Mondelez West Africa (Cadbury), Oyeyimka Adeboye, said that the company’s production was heavily import-dependent.

Adeboye mentioned that the cost of doing business had tripled in the country in the last two years.

She stressed the need for the country to minimise imports and create access to financing for local production.

“We import glucose, but we have people who can produce it here locally. The problem is that they do not have access to finance,” she said.
Similarly, the Chief Financial Officer of APM Terminals West Africa, Courage Obadagbonyi, stated that there was a need for better coordination between government regulators.

Obadagbonyi remarked that the lack of coordination had caused confusion for businesses, adding that investments would not thrive in an environment of confusion.

The Group Managing Director of Techno Oil Limited, Mrs Nkechi Obi, expressed that businesses would only thrive with good policies.

Obi expressed optimism that with the establishment of Dangote refinery, the prices of petroleum products would stabilise somewhat.

“Techno Oil is working on its refinery to avoid shocks or uncertainties in the sector,” she said.

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Business

NucleusIS Africa acquires Rigo Microfinance Bank

Published

2 weeks ago

December 17, 2024

John

NucleusIS Africa acquires Rigo – NucleusIS Africa acquires Rigo…

NucleusIS Africa acquires Rigo – Africa’s fast growing technology…

Africa’s fast growing technology company completes 100% acquisition of Rigo Microfinance Bank, making it one of the biggest healthcare finance technology companies in Africa. NucleusIS Africa Limited, Africa’s fastest-growing technology company, has announced its acquisition of Rigo Microfinance Bank Limited. This landmark takeover is expected to strengthen NucleusIS Africa’s ability to deliver cutting-edge healthcare financing services across the continent.

Speaking on the acquisition at press time, Mr. Femi Niyi, Board Chairman of NucleusIS Africa Limited, expressed optimism about the expanded opportunities this acquisition creates. “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision of transforming healthcare financing in Africa. Combining our innovative solutions with Rigo Microfinance Bank’s financial services infrastructure will enable us to address critical healthcare challenges more effectively,” he said.

The acquisition underscores NucleusIS Africa’s mission to close the healthcare funding gap through technology-driven solutions. By integrating Rigo Microfinance Bank’s established financial infrastructure, the company aims to broaden its reach and enhance its ability to offer seamless, customized financial services to healthcare providers and patients.

Industry experts believe this acquisition positions NucleusIS Africa as the leading force in healthcare finance innovation across Africa. NucleusIS Africa will be able to better support medical service providers and expand access to essential healthcare services for more Africans.

With the added capacity, the company plans to introduce new financial products designed to support healthcare providers, facilitate patient financing, and significantly improve access to quality healthcare services.

The move is a strategic step toward reshaping Africa’s healthcare financing landscape.

The acquisition of Rigo Microfinance Bank Limited marks a new chapter in the company’s mission to create sustainable healthcare solutions through financial empowerment.

NucleusIS Africa Limited, founded in 2021, is a Nigerian Tech Company leading groundbreaking innovation to enhance healthcare access in Africa, through technology and finance driven solutions. The company’s flagship platform automates health insurance operations, connecting insurers, healthcare providers, and individuals across Nigeria and Ghana.Within the last few years, the organization has onboarded over 700,000 insured individuals, while partnering with major health insurance providers.

NucleusIS has also introduced a groundbreaking credit product – Provider Advance, that has transformed the financing landscape for healthcare businesses. Pharmacies, hospitals, laboratories, and other providers can access collateral-free business loans in as little as 48 hours, eliminating the traditional financing hurdles of collateral requirements and lengthy turnaround times.

Within the last few years NucleusIS has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the healthcare industry, having disbursed over ₦10 Billion in loans to healthcare businesses across Nigeria.

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Fuel hike, bad roads behind onion shortage – Anambra traders

Published

2 weeks ago

December 17, 2024

John

Fuel hike, bad roads – Fuel hike, bad roads…

Fuel hike, bad roads – Traders and buyers at…

Traders and buyers at Eke Awka Market, in Anambra State’s capital, have attributed the scarcity of onions to rising fuel prices and the country’s poor road network.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey conducted on Tuesday revealed that onions, a key condiment used to spice food, have become increasingly difficult to find and afford.

Obigaeli Nwokoye, a petty trader dealing in onions, explained that a few weeks ago, there was no onion available in the entire market due to bad roads. She added that suppliers from the northern part of the country faced delays, as the high cost of fuel and poor road conditions hindered transportation and logistics.

“Drivers coming from Kano face major challenges, which delay their deliveries to Awka.

“The government should address these issues and give special attention to food transporters to ensure a steady supply of food items.”

Mrs Chioma Okeke, another seller, shared that the price of a bag of onions had skyrocketed to ₦370,000, compared to ₦258,000 in November. She further noted that the price had steadily increased throughout the year, from between ₦70,000 and ₦90,000 in January to ₦110,000 to ₦170,000 around August/October.

“From November to December, the price jumped to between ₦250,000 and ₦300,000.”

Mrs Doris Beluchukwu, a buyer, expressed frustration at the soaring prices and scarcity.

“Onions that used to cost ₦100 or ₦200 are now priced between ₦500 and ₦2,000,” she said.

She also urged the government to ensure its food regulatory agencies functioned effectively, as some of the food shortages might be artificial.

“Government needs to act quickly to ensure a steady supply of basic food items to markets across the country,” Beluchukwu added.

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Free Slots: An accessible way to enjoy casino games

Published

2 weeks ago

December 17, 2024

John

Free Slots: An accessible – Free Slots: An accessible…

Free Slots: An accessible – According to statistics, the…

According to statistics, the revenue in the online gambling market is projected to reach 97.15 billion USD in 2024. This represents a revenue change of 14.1%. As more and more people want to enjoy the fun of the casino, it makes sense for online casinos to offer some games for free. In this article, we’ll tell you all about free slots and how you can access them for casino fun.

How Free Slots Work

Essentially, free slots are slot machine games that don’t cost you anything to play them. This means you can enjoy them as much as you want without worrying about spending any money. There are many benefits to this, of course. You can find your favorite games and enjoy them without the gambling element and you can try out new games to see if you like them before spending any of your hard-earned cash.

The games you can play will vary from site to site, just like their paid versions. You’ll get access to all of the common features like bonus rounds, free spins, and the progressive jackpot element if there is one. However, because you’re playing for free, anything you win will also be virtual, so there’s no chance of winning a payout—unless you’re using free spins from a no-deposit bonus, for example.

The Benefits of Free Online Slots

Free online slots have their advantages. Here’s a summary of why many people enjoy them:

It’s risk-free entertainment: You can play the games to your heart’s content without the fear of losing money being there.
Skill development: For slots that are more strategic or challenging, free slots and demo versions mean you get to practice your gameplay and familiarize yourself with the rules.
Work out how much you’d like to play with: When you play a game for free, you can test out its volatility and RTP (return to player) to see if it’s worth the risk of betting higher or whether you should stick to small amounts.
Diverse game selection: Free slots are available in a wide range of themes and styles. There are thousands of different ones available so you’ll always find something you enjoy.
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Key Features to Look For in Free Slots

Ultimately, what you look out for depends on the individual, but some things will make the free slot experience better. This includes:

The graphics and sound: This enhances the gaming experience and some games are much better than others.
Return-to-player (RTP) percentage: Playing free slots allows you to test out games with different RTPs to see if you like playing them and they’re worth the risk if the RTP is lower.
Mobile compatibility: Trying out a game on a mobile device for the first time can be a bit hit-and-miss. Using a free version means you can see if it works well before spending your money.

Tips For Finding the Best Free Online Slots

To find the best free slots, you’ll need to look around. Some online casinos don’t allow you to play their games for free until you register while others are happy to let you try them out before you sign up.

Looking at online reviews by other players is also useful as you won’t then waste time playing games you know aren’t great. Also, there are plenty of sites that aren’t casinos that allow you to play games by top developers in demo mode.

The Potential Problem of Free Slots in Online Gaming

Realistically, software developers allow you to play their games for free because they want you to enjoy them. Online casinos offer free games to entice you to join and spend real cash. If you know this and are a responsible gamer, there’s no reason why you can’t have fun playing this way. All reputable sites have responsible gaming tools so if you do decide to stop playing the free versions, be sure to join a site that is licensed and reputable, then you have protection against problem gambling.

Conclusion

Free slots have so many advantages and as long as you’re aware of the potential downside and are a responsible gamer, there’s no reason why you can’t continue to enjoy free slots for as long as you want. These are an entry point into the world of online casinos but they can just be where you stop too. Free slots are a relaxed way of learning about casino gaming mechanics and can help you unwind.

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